Stanford Neurospine Disorders Team
OUR SURGEONS
Jon Park, MD, FRCSC
Professor, Neurosurgery Director, Comprehensive Spine Neurosurgery Director, Spine Neurosurgery Fellowship/Spine Research Laboratory
Practices at: Stanford University Medical Center
Dr. Park has extensive clinical practice at Stanford in outpatient minimally invasive spine surgery involving spine disc disease, degenerative spinal disorders and compression fractures. He also has special clinical interest in reconstruction of complex spine traumas and treatment of spinal tumors using Cyberknife Radiosurgery.
Dr. Park's research interest includes non-fusion dynamic spinal stabilization, artificial disc technologies, and regenerative spinal technologies.
Dr. Park completed his neurosurgical residency from the world renowned Montreal Neurological Institute. After completing a spine fellowship at UCLA, he was an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Washington prior to joining Stanford.
John Ratliff, MD, FACS
Professor, Neurosurgery Co-Director, Division of Spine and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Vice Chair, Operations and Development
Practices at: Stanford University Medical Center
Dr. Ratliff received his medical degree from Tulane University. He is fellowship trained in complex spinal reconstructive surgery and completed a research fellowship in neural regeneration and peripheral nerve repair at the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at the National Institutes of Health.
Dr. Ratliff treats degenerative diseases of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine as well as primary and metastatic spinal tumors, spinal infections and chronic pain disorders. He is experienced in minimally invasive spine surgery, revision surgeries and spinal reconstruction, including the use of instrumentation and implants, and artificial disc replacements. Dr. Ratliff is well versed in the evaluation and treatment of nerve compression syndromes and peripheral nerve trauma. His current research focuses on preventing complications in spine surgery, assessing patient outcomes, and developing population-based metrics for assessing surgical outcomes
Anand Veeravagu, MD
Assistant Professor, Neurosurgery
Practices at: Stanford University Medical Center
Dr. Anand Veeravagu is Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery and Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, by courtesy, and Director of Minimally Invasive NeuroSpine Surgery here at Stanford. Dr. Veeravagu is focused on advancing minimally invasive surgical techniques for diseases of the spine and cares for patients with a wide range of spinal disorders including motion preservation (artificial disk replacement), spinal tumor, scoliosis, and robotic spinal surgery.
Dr. Veeravagu’s research efforts are focused on the utilization of large national databases to assess cost, quality, and effectiveness of various treatment algorithms as well as predictive analytics. Dr. Veeravagu is also an author and former Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense and writes about current events, health policy, and public health-related topics for the San Francisco Chronicle, The Daily Beast, The BBC, and the Huffington Post.
Atman Desai, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Neurosurgery
Practices at: Stanford University Medical Center
Dr. Atman Desai received his BA and medical degree from the University of Cambridge. He completed his neurosurgical residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, before completing a fellowship in spinal oncology and complex reconstructive surgery of the spine at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Desai specializes in the management of spinal degenerative disorders, spinal tumors, trauma to the spinal cord and vertebral column, complex reconstruction and restoration of the spine, and minimally invasive spine surgery. His current research focuses on processes that lead to superior outcomes in neurosurgery, disparities in neurosurgical care, development of predictive models of neurosurgical outcomes, and cost effectiveness and comparative effectiveness studies of neurosurgical disorders.
Lawrence M. Shuer, MD
Professor, Neurosurgery
Clinic Chief and Vice Chair of Quality, Neurosurgery
Practices at: Stanford University Medical Center
Dr. Shuer received his BA and MD from the University of Michigan. He completed his residency in neurosurgery at Stanford University before joining the faculty.
He is a past president of the California Association of Neurological Surgeons. His research interests include syringomyelia, pediatric disorders, and degenerative spine disease.
ADDITIONAL TEAM MEMBERS
Josh Levin, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Neurosurgery and Orthopedic Surgery
Director, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Interventional Spine Fellowship
Practices at: Stanford University Medical Center
Dr. Josh Levin completed a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Michigan and a pain medicine fellowship at the Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Levin specializes in the non-surgical management of a wide range of spinal disorders He performs spinal injections and nerve tests (EMG’s.)
Kara Flavin, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Neurology & Neurological Sciences and Orthopaedic Surgery
Practices at: Stanford University Medical Center
Dr. Kara Flavin completed her residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Stanford University and a fellowship in spinal cord injury medicine at the joint Stanford/Palo Alto VA program. Dr. Flavin specializes in post spinal cord injury care, including management of neurogenic bowel and bladder, spasticity, therapy prescription, and equipment needs. She also performs botulinum toxin injections for spasticity.
